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Saturday, 16 November 2013

Environmental Impact

I have one
huge electric kiln to fire my pottery. Everyone who has some experience with
pottery kilns knows how much energy-consuming they are. I do not know if wood-
or gas-fired kilns would be environmentally a better alternative. For me the
decision to use an electric kiln was the only realistic solution, since I have
a very small studio and we live in a relatively urban area.

With every
natural catastrophe in the world I feel grateful and lucky to live in such a
safe place. Here in Switzerland so far we do not have many natural
catastrophes. Thus, we have enough to eat and our homes are warm in the winter,
etc. The water we drink is very clean comes from the nearest spring of water. Our
lakes and rivers are relatively unpolluted. We breathe clear mountain air. However,
I often ask myself if I contribute enough to preserve it this way!

Well, I run my
errands by bike. We have a hybrid car. We have replaced many lights in the
house by LED lightings. The biggest part of our lawn is “mowed” and “fertilized”
by our neighbour’s sheep. I grow my own vegetables, fruits, berries and herbs.
I separate glass, metal, paper and old electronics which I dispose of properly.
I have a huge compost pile for the biological waste. I am trying to use the
water sparingly by taking a shower instead of taking a bath. I collect the rain
water to water the garden. But am I doing enough?

I don’t try to
judge people who act differently. I can run my errands by bike because I have a
small family. Also, I cannot imagine that a full-time working single mother has
time to do the shopping by bike nor separate a metal and a paper from a tea
bag.

Luckily enough
the environmental consciousness in Switzerland is comparatively high. I am
trying not to think about global politics and about climate-change conferences
which make me feel so helpless and really angry. Instead, I am telling myself that
to be able to change global we have to make small changes first. Or am I just
closing my eyes to the real problems this way?

Finally, I
don’t think this planet would be a healthier and happier place if I stop doing
pottery because my kiln devours so much electricity. As the matter of fact, we
live in the region of Switzerland that produces more than 90% of its
electricity with hydropower!

Well, it is
about time to warm up my studio and turn on my electrical kiln again!